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The Queens Gazette, August 16, 2001
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Olympic Airways, one of the world's major airlines recently changed its address from Fifth Avenue in Manhattan to Austin Street in Forest Hills, buttressing Forest Hills' reputation as one of the best--if not the best commercial and retail shopping districts in Queens and all of New York City. Although the area lost a world-class name and operation when the Disney Store at 70-31 Austin Street pulled up stakes earlier this year, one of the premier names in women's fashions, Ann Taylor Loft, quickly agreed to occupy the newly vacant space. Another major marquee name, Banana Republic, moved into a newly remodeled space at 71-18 Austin Street just last week. Staples, another tops-in-its-industry retailer, will soon offer a seemingly endless line of office supply products at 107-16 71st Avenue in space over a Duane Reade store. Meanwhile, the largest Gap store in the borough opened for business at 69-39 Austin Street last March, having moved form a smaller Austin Street location. "It's doing fantastic business." declared Heskel Elias, a well-known realtor and developer who is closely identified with the major makeover undergone several years ago by the main portion of the Austin Street commercial strip, which runs from Ascan Avenue to Yellowstone Boulevard. In its entirety, Austin Street begins in Kew Gardens at 127th Street, crosses Continental Avenue and runs to Yellowstone Blvd. in Forest Hills. Past Yellowstone Boulevard the street continues into Rego Park and finally ends at Eliot Avenue. Usually referred to by his first name, Heskel has been doing business on Austin street for some 25 years. He sees only a continuing healthy economic climate for the street. "Forest Hills is just about the best place to live in Queens, so it's no mystery that the best shopping district in the borough developed here over the years," he said recently. "Businesses may leave from time to time, but it won't be because Austin Street is losing any of its vitality or power to draw in other major businesses." He cited Disney and Olympic Airways as examples. "Disney went out because it's downsizing, closing several of its outlets," the Israeli-born developer explained. "They are also changing the concept of their operation, doing more business on the Internet." Olympic Airways was drawn to Austin Street, Heskel added, because Forest Hills is close to John F. Kennedy and LaGuardia Airports. The neighborhood also lies in close proximity to the Long Island Expressway and Grand Central Parkway as well as Queens Boulevard. "Forest Hills is very accessible," Heskel noted. Another reason for the Olympics Airways move was avoiding the higher rents charged in Manhattan, a factor in moves made by other major businesses, Heskel continued. Still another big plus is the care and attention this area gets from its community leaders. Heskel said. "I really feel good about it." Such groups are constantly involved in keeping the street clean and attractive, all of which helps to maintain an environment that makes business owners want to set up shop in Forest Hills.
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